Novantrone® (mitoxantrone)

Parent company: EMD Serono, Inc.

Given via intravenous infusion, the dose varies
according to an individual's weight. It is
administered once every three months for a
maximum of two-to-three years. The total dose
is limited to avoid risking damage to the heart.

Novantrone is approved for use in SPMS, PRMS,
worsening RRMS, and people who are not
responding favorably to standard therapies.

This drug appears to delay the time to a first treated
relapse, reduce the number of relapses,
delay the time to disability progression, and
decrease the number of new lesions that can be
detected by MRI. It also appears to stabilize
disease activity in some individuals with SPMS.

Novantrone is an immunosuppressant that has
been used for many years to treat cancer. It
targets rapidly dividing cells, including those
believed to be involved in MS. Side effects may
include cardiac disease and leukemia; patients
must be closely monitored to minimize these
risks. The risk of leukemia and cardiotoxicity
have dramatically reduced the use of
Novantrone in the United States.